8. Acne Studios – Got a bit ahead of myself here. Yes it’s one of my favourite brands, but Acne Studios isn’t included in the Buy More Save More Sale. There are a few items listed on the regular sale with 30% – 50% off though!

I’m not entirely sure why. It’s not a particularly natural interest of mine.

I never studied it in high school.

I didn’t know anything about Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Augustus – except on a very superficial level.

I pretty much avoided anything to do with politics, war, military history… but here I am, completely intoxicated by all the crazy stories!

What do I love about it?

I love the drama, the intrigue, the corruption, the ups and downs of a growing society.

I love hearing about all the leaders of Rome in chronological order, learning about the lesser known characters, the rise and fall of emperors, what made them a good leader, what made them a bad leader, the beginnings of western civilisation, the history of western politics, war strategies (surprisingly interesting!), the history of a war obsessed empire, the history of Christianity and beginnings of the Islamic Empire.

One particular topic I’m fascinated about is political propaganda. Why were the Romans so swayed by it? What is it about mankind that makes us all so susceptible political propaganda and savvy marketing?

I have already read 3 books about Roman and Byzantine History, and I have listened to 180 podcasts about the History of Rome (and now re-listening to them all – because they’re just so good!).

Someone asked me, why not go study Ancient History? I looked it up and discovered that it’ll cost me about $19,500 to do a 3 year degree – holy crap no thanks.

To me, it is just pure entertainment.

Some people watch tv in the evenings, I’m just happy to read.

And happy to tell people random facts!

The Ancient Romans were delighted by all the imported fruits from their growing empire (pomegranates, oranges, apricots, peaches) but they simply called them all “[country of origin] + Apples”. Everything was an apple! Ha so cute!

…

I recently read Rome by Robert Hughes (famous art critic for TIME magazine), pictured above, and oh boy, I don’t recommend it at all!

Yes, he had a very interesting perspective on ancient Roman art, but everything else was very hard to read as it jumped about, he repeated himself, he was so vague, he wrote as if the reader already knew all about the history of Rome (I have a basic understanding and I found it hard to follow).

So I’m picking up another book, considered to be an “undisputed masterpiece of English historical writing” and I’ll let you all know how I go haha!

Confession: I have a “section” in my wardrobe, where I hang my lightly worn clothes (um… lightly worn and too smelly to wear again). They are items that I can’t hand wash, so they’re waiting to be dry cleaned.

And sometimes the “section” gets so full, that I have nothing to left wear HAHA. Not really, but kind of true.

Anyway, recently I have been using a VIP Dry Cleaning Service in Perth, offered by Stannards Dry Cleaning, where they pick up and deliver items straight from your home or office. The delivery is a FREE service – but of course you have to pay for the actual dry cleaning, and you have to book in a minimum of 4 items.

They have been a complete lifesaver for me, because I’ve been so busy with meetings, errands, and rushing around like a crazy woman trying to get shit done.

And now suddenly, I have all these “NEW” dresses to wear!

For example, this dress: one of my favourite dresses from Self Portrait.

This dress is called the “Strappy Lace Dress” from 2 seasons ago and it’s a slightly different version of the popular Azaelea Dress, which I also have in a “Tomato Red” colour (links go to Shopbop, but the dresses are sold old).

I used to think that after wearing this Strappy Dress for 4-5 occasions, I would sell it. But it feels like a brand new dress again, plus it fits me really well… so I might hang on to it for a few more years.

In fact, I used to do this exact trick when my kids were young: hide their toys, wait for them to forget about the toys, then after a few months, take them out and SUDDENLY WOW WE HAVE ALL THESE NEW TOYS!